On June 20, 2025, a sacred Ceremony took place at RRC Polytech to mark the final step in a year-long naming journey. Kunshi – Grandmother in Dakota – Ivy Chaske formally gifted the wide-open community space inside Manitou a bi Bii daziigae a Dakota name: Mitakuye Oyasin Okciyape, which means All My Relations Helping Each Other. This powerful act of naming is the most recent expression of RRC Polytech’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation – and it reflects anti-racism in action.

Language is more than communication. It’s a lens through which we understand the world. Language is culture, spirituality, and identity. Yet, Indigenous languages have been suppressed, misunderstood, and assimilated through colonization, often to the point where their origins and meanings are no longer recognized.

This matters because when Indigenous words or phrases are used without context or understanding, their inherent spiritual and cultural meanings are forgotten. Familiarity may bring inclusion, but without integrity, we risk repeating the harm of assimilation. As an educational institution, our goal must be to foster curiosity, create opportunities for deeper learning, and encouraging all people to ask not just what a word means but why it exists and where it comes from.

For example, “miigwech” is often translated as thank you. During a campus event in 2024, Elder Paul Guimond shared that, in essence, it means you light my fire – it’s an acknowledgement that someone has done something for you that you could not do alone, and for that, you are grateful. That deeper spiritual meaning is at risk of being flattened if we fail to engage with the language respectfully and with care. This balance between integrity and familiarity is where real work in decolonization begins.

In response to the University of Manitoba’s 2011 apology for its role in the Residential School system, the late Mi’kmaq poet and Laureate, Rita Joe, offered a powerful reflection on the loss of language and identity through her poem, I Lost My Talk.

In the poem, she articulates the damage caused by Residential Schools – not just the loss of language, but the forced adoption of another worldview. The ability to “talk,” in this context, is not merely about speech, but about cultural understanding, spiritual knowledge, and identity. Joe’s response to the apology is a proposal: that healing comes when Indigenous Peoples and Western institutions walk together, and when Indigenous voices are no longer silenced, but centered – so they may teach the world who they are.

The preservation and revitalization of Indigenous languages is not solely the responsibility of Indigenous Peoples working to relearn and pass them on to future generations. English speakers – particularly within educational institutions – also have a responsibility to learn about these languages and honour the words we use. Language revitalization isn’t just about rediscovering what’s been lost – it’s also about opening new ways of seeing the world, challenging assumptions, and engaging in meaningful, critical thinking.

Place names across Turtle Island carry the deep connection between language and land. These names are more than geographic markers – they embody worldviews, spiritual understanding, and ancestral relationships with place.

Manitoba comes from Manitou Ahbii in Anishinaabemowin: Manitou meaning Great Spirit or Creator, and Ahbii meaning the place where it is. Together, they mean the place where Creator is.

Winnipeg comes from wînayih nipiyik in Ininimowin: wînayih meaning dirty, nipiy meaning water, and -ik making it plural – dirty waters, referring to the dark waters of the Red River.

In recognizing the power of language and the processes involved with naming, in 2019, RRC Polytech began a different kind of naming journey with the opening of a new facility at 319 Elgin Avenue – one rooted in reciprocity, Ceremony, and Indigenous ways of knowing.

The journey began when two Elders-in-Residence – Elder Paul Guimond of Sagkeeng First Nation and Miss Una Swan of Fisher River Cree Nation – were offered Tobacco and asked to name the building. Together, they gifted the name Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, which means Where Creator sits, Brings the light. Since its opening in 2021, this name has become widely known and respected across RRC Polytech – not only for what it means, but for how it was received.

In 2024, Kunshi Ivy Chaske offered a new name for the gathering space inside Manitou a bi Bii daziigae: Mitakuye Oyasin Okciyape (pronounced MITAH-kooya OYA-shin OAK-ah-pee), meaning All My Relations Helping Each Other in Dakota.

Unlike the naming of the building itself, for which a name was sought through Ceremony, Kunshi Ivy already held and carried sacred responsibility for the name, which has previously been transferred to her through Ceremony. Kunshi Ivy observed the space over the course of a year before offering the name to RRC Polytech in accordance with Dakota Ceremonial Protocols.

The name reflects the spiritual and communal function of the space: a place of gathering, belonging, and collaboration. All My Relations Helping Each Other is not just a phrase – it’s a prayer, a reminder that we are deeply interconnected with all life: people, animals, water, land, and sky.

On June 20, 2025, this name was formally transferred in Ceremony. Four RRC Polytech leaders accepted the responsibility to honour and uphold it. Every year, the name will be Feasted, and its responsibility will be passed on in perpetuity.

Traditional naming processes are not about branding or recognition – they are responsibilities earned through Ceremony, sacrifice, and deep connection to spirit. By accepting traditional Indigenous names, RRC Polytech also accepts the responsibility to live in relationship with those names, their meanings, and the Peoples who gifted them.

This is what anti-racism looks like in practice: honouring spiritual significance, making space for Indigenous knowledge systems, and walking alongside one another in mutual respect.

Decolonizing our institution means more than revising curriculum or updating policy. It means living these values. It means embracing names like Manitou a bi Bii daziigae and Mitakuye Oyasin Okciyape not just as labels, but as Teachings that guide our actions.

We walk in two worlds: one rooted in the history of Western education and another shaped by Indigenous knowledge and ways of being. Honouring Indigenous language is a commitment to balance – not assimilation – and in many ways, it mirrors the spirit of Treaty: walking together on parallel paths, respecting difference, and building something stronger in relationship. On a broader scale, this is just one way we can practice anti-racism, and demonstrate how we can live in relationship together, beyond assimilation.

The past doesn’t change. However, we can examine it through new perspectives and gain deeper insights.

History isn’t a fixed straight line – it’s a radiant story we tell that expands as we ask better questions and find more dynamic answers. Much of what we do when we make RRC Polytech a reflection of the people that learn and work here are demonstrations of anti-racism even without being explicitly labelled as such.

To understand how far RRC Polytech has come, we should continually revisit and re-evaluate our history. The one constant we rely on is the fact that the College has adapted to meet the needs of Manitobans joining the workforce since day one.

RRC Polytech’s roots trace back to 1938 with the founding of the Henry Ave. and St. Boniface Vocational Education Centres, which were created to train workers for job vacancies that opened during World War II.[1] In 1942, the Manitoba Technical Institute (MTI) opened at 1181 Portage Ave. and became the official name for the institution as a whole.[2] After the St. Boniface centre closed in 1944, MTI retrained returning servicepeople in 1945 to help them reintegrate into civilian life. By 1948, MTI was Manitoba’s first post-secondary vocational institution that was independent of wartime needs.[3]

Notre Dame Campus opened in 1963 as the Manitoba Institute of Technology (MIT). Buildings DEF were added in 1969 and called the Manitoba Institute of Applied Arts (MIAA) to expand the College’s range of offerings as technology became more widespread and demand for technical skills rose.[4]

The names that were taken up until now intentionally included “technology” and “institute” to reflect the practical applications of the work that students would prepare for in the workforce, but as MIT/MIAA’s purview expanded, a new descriptor was needed to accurately capture the extent of the institute’s offerings.

That same year, the Manitoba Government announced that vocational schools in Winnipeg, Brandon, and The Pas would transition into community colleges – an indicator that held a higher prestige than simply “college” or “vocational school,” and would position the institutions closer to “university.” A province-wide vote was launched through newspaper ballots which invited Manitobans to choose a name for MIT/MIAA.

The three options presented were:

• La Vérendrye Community College – commemorating the French explorer’s 1738 journey to the Red and Assiniboine Rivers;
• Peguis Community College – commemorating the Saulteaux chief who aided early Selkirk settlers, and;
• Red River Community College – referring to the river that has long been a resource for Indigenous Peoples, named by the Anishinaabeg and Ininiwak for its red clay riverbed.

Despite Red River Community College receiving the most votes, the decision was met with resistance at the time. Some students felt excluded from the process and that the value associated with the MIT name would be lost – a name that positioned the institution closer to the esteemed Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A student-led boycott collected over 600 signatures and one student at the time told the Winnipeg Free Press, “When I think of Red River, I think of the muddy Red… what Fort Garry dumps their sewage into.”[5]

In response, College leadership allowed students to choose which name appeared on their diplomas, which eased the tension of the transition.[6] This moment illustrates how institutional identity and collective memory are formed not just by decisions that were made, but by the conversations and conflicts surrounding them.

RRC Polytech’s identity further developed in 1990, when the College hosted a regional Multicultural Workshop in partnership with the Association of Canadian Colleges. Post-secondary institutions examined how they served Indigenous and multicultural communities to see how they could address gaps in representation and where more equitable practices could be implemented.[7]

That same year, in response to a challenge from Vice-Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Ovide Mercredi, the College established the President’s Task Force on Services to Multicultural and Aboriginal Communities. The Task Force developed a two-fold mandate: to recommend improvements to services for Indigenous and multicultural learners and to create a formal race and ethnic relations policy for the College.[8]

The timing of Mercredi’s challenge captured the spirit of Manitoba in the late 80s and early 90s regarding the rights and recognition of Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba. This time itself was a period of fast change as well as a culmination of long-coming change. The last Residential School in Manitoba closed in 1988 before becoming a Day School, which closed in 1996, and the increasing presence of Indigenous students in public schools in Manitoba encouraged the Manitoba Government to request that all schools incorporate Indigenous Perspectives into all curricula in 1995. In 1998, Manitoba was the first province to create a provincial nominee program for immigrants, reflecting the rise of immigration in the province – or, rather, a motivation to encourage immigration.

In 1993, Don Robertson was appointed as the College’s first Dean of Aboriginal Education and Institutional Diversity – a role that set the foundation for culturally relevant programming.[9] The Aboriginal Resource Centre, now the Indigenous Support Centre, opened in 1998 to offer holistic support grounded in Indigenous knowledge and practices.

In 1995, the Language Training Centre moved from the Massey Building to the Union Station, and the centre expanded its English for Specific Purposes to a wider range of programs like nursing, apprenticeships, and entrepreneurship.[10]

The College’s first Pow Wow was organized in 2000 to celebrate Indigenous excellence in a traditional way; and this year, we celebrated the 25^th annual Graduation Pow Wow, marking a quarter-century of honouring Indigenous tradition.

These milestones mark more than just institutional progress – they are tangible steps toward decolonizing an education model originally designed during the industrial era to funnel workers into factories and support wartime production needs.

This education model, which valued efficiency and conformity, stands in contrast to Indigenous ways of knowing – where education is lifelong, land-based, and deeply relational. The Schools of Indigenous Education and International Education show that education must be delivered with context and culturally-informed staff – not through a one-size-fits-all model. Expanding our approach to meet not just academic needs but also cultural, emotional, mental health, and social needs is an essential act of anti-racism.

And so, the conversation around the College’s name becomes a question of: how can we represent everything we offer and the people that benefit from our services accurately?

In 1997, the Board of Governors removed “Community” from Red River College and extended the name to Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology to encompass all fields of study offered at the College. Conversationally, though, the institution was widely referred to as “Red River College” or “RRC.”

In his 2012 book, Changing People’s Lives: An Illustrated History of Red River College, Dave Williamson, Dean of Applied Arts and Business, 1983 – 2006, writes: “Ironically, Community was being dropped in 1997 for the same reason it was adopted in 1969 – to suggest that Red River was something more – that it wasn’t just a trade school by the airport.”[11]

The term “college” was, again, considered less prestigious than “university.” Instead of being seen as a real option for post-secondary education, it was often thought of as something in between high school and university.

Regardless of how the College is named, learning has always occurred here. The conversation has always been about how to best represent the services we provide to people and the people that benefit from our services. And that has consistently changed as the institution has become more conscious of the needs of the people it serves.

Fast forward to 2021, when the College took on its current name: Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech), in a press release, the College stated:

“Embracing this new identity recognizes RRC Polytech’s evolution into a unique kind of post-secondary institution that blends deep, theoretical learning with applied, hands-on experience, and highlights the important role our graduates will play in growing Manitoba’s economy as our province recovers from the pandemic and looks to the future.”

Along with the name change, the five-year Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026 dubbed: In Front of What’s Ahead introduced the College’s vision and mission and three priorities that elevate relationships and delivering education to people. The new name and strategy better capture the actual impact we have on the economy, innovation, and communities not just in Manitoba, but across the world – because this change is driven by the people who want it.

The Red and Assiniboine Rivers have been places of gathering, trade, governance, and teaching since time immemorial. Today, RRC Polytech continues that legacy by offering modern pathways for people to pursue careers that bring meaning to their lives and offers them the knowledge and skills to make change in their communities.

We honour that responsibility in both name and action. The names of our spaces – Manitou a bi Bii daziigae in Anishinaabemowin, Where Creator Sits and Brings the Light, and Mitakuye Oyasin Okciyape in Dakota, All My Relations Helping Each Other – were gifted to us by Indigenous Grandparents, who are members of our community as Elders-in-Residence and members of the Knowledge Keepers Council. These names reflect an affirmation in our relationship to place, language, and community. As we move forward on our people-focused path, we are branching the spokes of our history in a larger, more comprehensive wheel.

Today, we have International Education; the School of Indigenous Education with Elders-in-Residence; Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development; Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement with the Knowledge Keepers Council; the Anti-Racism Action Committee and its subcommittees; Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and so much more. These initiatives and areas are all driven by people who want to make the College a better place to work and learn.

As we look back, we recognize that the story of RRC Polytech is shaped by the people who continue to move it forward – students, educators, community leaders, and Knowledge Keepers. Our history is not static – it is a living, breathing process of becoming. By looking back, we are getting in front of what’s ahead.

• [1] Dave Williamson, Changing Peoples’ Lives: An Illustrated History of Red River College (Red River College, 2012), 5.
• [2] Williamson, 7.
• [3] Williamson, 9.
• [4] Williamson, 32.
• [5] Williamson, 40.
• [6] Williamson, 41.
• [7] Williamson, 119.
• [8] Williamson, 141.
• [9] Williamson, 143.
• [10] Williamson, 146.
• [11] Williamson, 156.

February is Black History Month – but every day of the year is history in the making.

Black History Month traces its roots to 1925, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) established the first Black History Week. Their goal was to highlight the achievements and contributions of Black individuals, challenging the widespread suppression of Black history in mainstream narratives. The second week of February was chosen to align with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both significant figures in Black history. Over time, this initiative grew into the month-long observance we now recognize and has expanded beyond the US to the world.

When discussing racism, the U.S. is often portrayed as the main perpetrator of anti-Black oppression due to its history of slavery and segregation. Canada, in contrast, is frequently distanced from the same history in oppression and discrimination, resulting in a narrative that overlooks Canada’s active complicity in the oppression of Black people. Even after slavery was abolished in 1834, Black Canadians continued to face systemic racism, segregation, and exclusion through White-focused policies and racist attitudes. Racial discrimination persisted well into the 20th century and beyond.

With that in mind, it’s also important to recognize that framing Black history solely through oppression is in itself racist. While historical context is integral to understanding the purpose of equity, diversity and inclusion strategies, a singular focus on racism reflects only a colonial perspective.

We often recognize inventors of everyday tools like the telephone, airplane, and lightbulb – but did you know that many Black innovators contributed to a lot of what we see in our everyday lives? In 1923, Garrett Morgan invented the three-light traffic signal. Chef George Crum created the potato chip in 1853, and Alexander Miles patented the automatic mechanism for elevator doors in 1887. Sister Rosetta Tharpe innovated blues, soul, R&B, and jazz to such a degree that with her 1945 release of “Strange Things Happening Every Day,” a new genre was born: rock and roll.

Elevating Black contributions demonstrates the deep influences of Black ingenuity has on the way we live and thrive today. Resilience is deeply ingrained in Black history – but so is brilliance.

Today, anti-Black racism continues to manifest in discriminatory policing, employment disparities, and underrepresentation in leadership roles. Racial profiling and over-policing of Black communities has led to significant disparities in the criminal justice system. These discriminatory attitudes and practices not only reflect historical injustices but also contribute to present-day systemic racism, underscoring the need for intentional efforts to dismantle these barriers.

Addressing this requires acknowledging Canada’s history and actively dismantling policies and practices that perpetuate inequity. Racism and discrimination are not static – they evolve with societal shifts and influence policy decisions. The legacies of colonialism and slavery and our understanding of history through different lenses continue to shape relationships and economic opportunities. This reality highlights the need for intentional policymaking that actively and deliberately acknowledge historical injustices to rectify them.

Highlighting the contributions of Black individuals is not just about representation – it’s about validating a history that has often been erased or diminished. Recognizing Black excellence in all fields challenges stereotypes and identifies systemic barriers that we can work towards dismantling.

Black History Month is an annual reminder of the importance of learning, reflection, and action, but it should not be the only time we engage with these conversations. Identifying, deconstructing and understanding anti-Black racism requires ongoing education, policy reform, and meaningful inclusion efforts.

Black history is history – and it’s happening now.

We share a collective responsibility to acknowledge it, celebrate it, and learn from it to build a more equitable future in which every contribution counts.

During Black History Month, RRC Polytech actively supported and participated in various events, including Anti-Black Racism as a Mental Health Concern by the Afro-Caribbean Mentorship Program (ACMP), Drum Cafe Winnipeg hosted by the Red River College Students’ Association, and Empowering Voices, Amplifying Black Narratives in Leadership, a collaboration between ACMP, RRC Polytech, the University of Manitoba, and the University of Winnipeg, where RRC Polytech alum Natalie Bell was honored with the Community Award for her invaluable contributions and dedication to the Afro-Caribbean/Black Canadian community in Winnipeg.

The Diversity team put together a compilation of resources and tools for the College community to learn more about Black history and to highlight stories of Black people. Employees have the opportunity to join in active engagement through the Anti-Racism Action Committee, which meets monthly to organize resources and events for the College community year-round related to anti-racism.

Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship is mandatory training for all staff, and if you haven’t had the chance to finish the modules, please access the course on LEARN.

Subscribe to the Diversity blog to keep up with future opportunities to engage and grow with us, and remember: when it comes to anti-racism, it’s not a grey area.

RRC Polytech is embarking on a mission to recognize the truth about racism in our institution.

Because anti-racism is not a grey area – to make the reconciliatory change we want to see, we must confront the truth, past and present.

Regular features on our Diversity blog will explore various aspects of the College through the lens of anti-racism and through historical contexts.

As Manitoba’s leading provider of applied education and research, RRC Polytech graduates students into a wide range of industries, equipping them with advanced skills and values that emphasize teamwork and inclusiveness. We believe that the College’s identity should be shaped by the people who learn, teach, and work here. We want to empower students, faculty and staff to carry that identity with them in the workplace and greater community.

To ensure all people thrive at the College, we continuously identify and address racism in our systems and attitudes. Whatever the mechanism – policy change, for example – education always follows. Because a policy to advance anti-racism is nothing without a concerted effort to inform College community members why the change was made and how it will make our community more open to all.

This process of re-education is itself a response to the historical framework of post-secondary education – one that has created disparities of opportunity along the lines of race in institutions such as RRC Polytech for generations.  

True systemic change begins with education.

Communicating why practices in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are important shifts the way we think about anti-racism. It’s more than just ‘not being racist.’

Safety and respect are critical to success in educational and professional settings. Many people navigate institutions that were not designed with their realities in mind, and as a result, they may face microaggressions, discrimination, or a lack of culturally responsive support systems. When we don’t actively consider these experiences, we risk maintaining an environment where some students and faculty don’t feel respected and struggle to thrive.

RRC Polytech must take an active role in not only addressing its internal systems, but communicating why practices in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) are important so we can shift the way we think about anti-racism. It’s more than just ‘not being racist.’

Many organizational structures that we see in Canada today were designed to benefit western European settlers, which created policies and cultural norms that excluded Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities from equitable access to the same resources. Because of this, educational institutions have overlooked the histories, contributions, and knowledge systems of many cultures and peoples.

In our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, we learn, discuss and reflect about the wrongdoings that have been perpetrated against Indigenous Peoples since the time of contact and the ongoing impacts – this is Truth. Recognizing those wrongdoings enables us to take action in ways that can better support Indigenous people, families, and communities – and this is Reconciliation.

The same approach is one RRC Polytech is committed to making towards anti-racism; knowing the truth is recognizing that racism is not a thing of the past and ‘not being racist’ is not enough to make the change we want to see. Taking action to reconcile is making goals using the information we have to better support our community and ensuring that everyone has equitable opportunities to succeed.

By prioritizing anti-racist learning, we can make RRC Polytech, in and of itself, demonstrative of the values we hold. The students who come through our doors can become agents of change in creating organizations that are reflective of the people for which they provide.

We have come a long way since our founding as the Industrial Vocational Education Centre in 1938 – we have introduced International Education, the Centre for Newcomer Integration, the School of Indigenous Education, Indigenous Strategy, Research and Business Development, and many more initiatives and policies in EDIA. We explain why we have these and what the benefits are for the people for whom they’re designed, but we don’t always explicitly articulate the historical context that creates the need for these specialized areas in the first place.

And the truth is, these contexts are deeply rooted in discrimination, racism, and colonialism. Future anti-racism features on the Diversity blog will delve into the histories that prompted the development of these areas, policies, and practices, and the impact that they’ve had in making safe and respectful learning and working environments for the people for whom they’re designed.

Visit the Anti-Racism section on our website and subscribe to the Diversity Blog for the latest updates on RRC Polytech’s exploration in anti-racism, and remember: it’s not a grey area.

The Anti-Racism Action Committee is excited to host our inaugural Social Justice Coffee House, and we warmly welcome all staff, faculty and students to join us for this inspiring event! The Social Justice Coffee house will be a collaborative event where participants are welcome to attend as audience members and/or as performers.  

Participants can sign up to share readings (poetry, fiction, non-fiction), sing songs, engage in discussions, or have cultural exchanges about social justice topics. The goal is to have a safe space to voice thoughts and feelings on social justice matters, connect with peers, and learn and grow.  

Date: November 4, 2024, Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM, Location: Prairie Lights, Notre Dame Campus 

What to Expect: 

• Open Mic Performances: Showcase your talents by playing an instrument, singing a song, or performing a spoken word piece. 

• Readings: Share an original work or read a selection from an author you admire that resonates with themes of social justice. Staff from the Library will be sharing poems and readings as well as having a collection of books on the topic to borrow. 

• Engaging Topics: Present on any social justice issues close to your heart—whether they’re global, national, or local. Are you trying to understand more about social justice issues? Please visit these links for more info: Fifteen Examples of Social Issues in Canada, The Society Library 

• Cultural Exchange: Experience a rich tapestry of perspectives and stories from our diverse community. 

Why Attend? 

• Express Yourself: This is a safe space to voice your thoughts and feelings on important social justice matters. 

• Connect with Peers: Meet like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact. 

• Learn and Grow: Gain new insights and broaden your understanding of issues affecting different communities. 

How to Participate: 

• Perform or Present: If you’re interested in performing or presenting, please fill out the form below with what you’d like to share. 

• Be an Audience Member: Even if you’re not performing, your support and presence contribute to the dialogue and community spirit. Please indicate that you will be part of the audience by filling out the form below. 

• After you fill out this form to indicate that you will be attending, you will be sent a meeting invite to hold the space in your calendar. 

Refreshments: 

• Complimentary coffee and light snacks will be available for all attendees. 

If you have any questions, please contact diversity@rrc.ca.

RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Action Committee – Social Justice Engagement Club has put together a Social Justice Bingo activity to build awareness on anti-racism and social justice this summer.  All members of the RRC Polytech community are invited to engage in the activities on this card to learn more about anti-racist and social-justice related topics and places in our province. This is an opportunity to reflect on power, privilege, bias, and how they influence our own experiences and perceptions, and how they affect individuals and groups in our communities.

As you engage with these activities, reflect on your experiences, take pictures, and share with the RRC Polytech community. Once you have completed the activities on the card (at least five activities in a row), fill out this form by September 30, 2024 to be included in a draw to win a book prize. 

Names of all respondents who complete the activities and indicate their wish to participate in the book draw, will be entered for a draw on October 1, 2024. Two winners will be randomly picked from the draw and will be informed directly by email to claim their book prize.

Summer 2024 Social Justice Bingo

You can access other Anti-Racism Resources and learn more about the Anti-Racism Working Group in this Diversity Blog Post.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact diversity@rrc.ca.

Canadian Multiculturalism Day is observed on June 27 to honour the many cultures that help build a strong and vibrant Canadian society.  In 1988, Canada became the first country in the world to recognize its multiculturalism policy in legislation by passing the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.  The Act promotes the full and equitable participation of individuals and communities of all origins in the continuing evolution and shaping of the Canadian society. Canada continues its work to promote multiculturalism and fight against racism by supporting communities and creating opportunities for conversations on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination.

At RRC Polytech, we recognize that diversity within our communities is one of our greatest strengths. We are committed to fostering working and learning environments that recognize and celebrate the diversity of our students and our staff. Together, we are working toward a place where we understand, embrace and uplift each other’s culture, and where all are welcomed for who they are, and for what we can build together.

All RRC Polytech employees have access to the CCDI 2024 Diversity Calendar. The calendar includes religious and cultural observances and other commemorative dates and fosters opportunities to learn about and celebrate diversity throughout the year.  We use this calendar to guide the celebrations and observances we recognize as a College community. If there is a holiday that you celebrate or observe, and would like to add to the calendar, please fill out the Celebrate Everything form.

RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Action Committee – Social Justice Engagement Club has put together a Social Justice Bingo activity to build awareness on anti-racism and social justice this summer.  All members of the RRC Polytech community are invited to engage in the activities on this card to learn more about anti-racist and social-justice related topics and places in our province. This is an opportunity to reflect on power, privilege, bias, and how they influence our own experiences and perceptions, and how they affect individuals and groups in our communities.  

As you engage with these activities, reflect on your experiences, take pictures, and share with the RRC Polytech community. Once you have completed the card, complete this form to be included in a draw to win a book prize. 

You can access other Anti-Racism Resources and learn more about the Anti-Racism Working Group in this Diversity Blog Post.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact diversity@rrc.ca.

At RRC Polytech we recognize that diversity within our communities is one of our greatest strengths. We are committed to fostering working and learning environments that recognize and celebrate the diversity of our students and our staff. Together, we are working toward a place where we understand, embrace and uplift each other’s culture, and where all are welcomed for who they are, and for what we can build together.

RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Action Committee is a working group of motivated staff dedicated to addressing anti-racism through awareness, learning, events and initiatives that spark action and meaningful, positive change. The Committee has put together this resource list to help the College community in our journey towards anti-racism, by raising awareness and taking action.

As you read these resources, it would be helpful to refer to the Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion’s (CCDI) Glossary of Terms, a reference tool for inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility terminology. They define race as a social construct and anti-racism as an active effort to eliminate all forms of racism. Here are the definitions of some key terms referred to in these resources: 

• Anti-racism is a conscious choice – it’s not the absence of racism, but rather the decision to actively condemn racism and recognize the impact it has on the people around us. There is no room for racism in any of our spaces and everyone is held with the same expectation to respect all people.  
• Institutional racism is racism that is woven into policies and functions at the organizational and governmental levels – which affects people and opportunities broadly and to varying degrees. 
• Intersectionality is recognizing how the identities of an individual can affect their experiences in different ways, particularly in matters that are impacted by discrimination. 

RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Action Committee:

If you’d like to get involved in future efforts focused on advancing our shared commitments to Truth and Reconciliation; and, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility within the College consider joining RRC Polytech’s Anti-Racism Action Committee. Staff and students can participate in events hosted by this working group. If you would like to make a commitment to anti-racism and participate in activities hosted by the Anti-Racism Action Committee, please fill out this anti-racism commitment form.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact diversity@rrc.ca.

Image via United Nations

Today, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on March 21 – the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960.

Since then, some racist systems have been dismantled but, in many regions, too many individuals, communities, and societies suffer from the injustice and stigma that racism brings. We can use this day to reflect on the fact that Indigenous peoples and racialized communities continue to experience racism and discrimination in Canada every day. We can re-commit to take action against racial discrimination in all forms to ensure a world where everyone has equitable access to all aspects of society.

Learn more about the United Nation’s theme for 2024: “A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent”.

Film Screening: The Skin We’re In

Today, the Social Justice Engagement Club is an initiative put on by the Anti-Racism Action Committee to create a space for students, faculty and staff to foster a learning community that advances Truth and Reconciliation, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

In recognition of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21, join the Social Justice Engagement Club for a film screening and guided conversation for faculty, staff and students. We’ll provide snacks and you could win a book.

We will be screening the CBC documentary, “The Skin We’re In.”

Day: Today, Thursday, March 21, 2024

Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00pm

Locations:

• Notre Dame Campus: Active Learning Classroom (Library, CM27)
• Exchange District Campus: Roundhouse Auditorium

Read more about the event and register on the diversity blog.

Register now.

Anti-Racism Training:

As a College community we have a responsibility to commit to standing up, speaking out, and pushing back against racism in all its forms.

We know diversity is one of our greatest strengths and the College is home to thousands of employees and students from all different backgrounds. Every one of us brings a unique perspective, experience, and connection to our workplace and classrooms.

If you have not yet had the opportunity to complete your Anti-Racism Training for Employees, please make time to complete this training and learn more about privilege, unconscious bias and decision-making, the difference between anti-racism and systemic racism, why microagressions are called “death by a thousand cuts” and why silence makes things worse. Through Anti-Racism: A Journey to Allyship training, you will leave with concrete actions you can take towards racial equity and tackling discrimination that make a difference.

Complete your training here.

^{PHOTO:UN/ Martine Perret}

Red River College Polytechnic strives to make campus a safe and inclusive space for all. Stand with us against fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims, and all forms of racism, religious discrimination, and harassment.

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly has recognized March 15 as an International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The UN defines Islamophobia as “a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility, and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political, and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism, it targets the symbols and markers of being a Muslim.” This designation by the UN is a response to the increasing incidents of Islamophobia. According to the National Council of Canadian Muslims, in the last year there has been 1300% increase in cases of Islamophobia as a result of the conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The significance of March 15 lies in its marking of the anniversary of the Christchurch Mosque shootings, a tragic event where 51 individuals who identify as Muslims, were killed.

Reflecting on a similar tragedy closer to home, on January 29, 2017, six lives were tragically lost, and 19 others were severely injured in an attack at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec in Sainte-Foy. To commemorate the victims of this attack—one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history—January 29 has been proclaimed as National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque attack and Action against Islamophobia.

With over 2 billion followers, Islam is the world’s second-largest religion accounting for 24.9% of the global population.

Resources:

• Allyship means taking concrete actions against individual and systemic discrimination. Ally is a verb, not an identity. There are many ways you can be an ally to Muslims.
• 25 Interesting Facts About Muslims: A fact sheet from the Islamic Heritage Month Resource Guidebook (Toronto District School Board)
• Islamophobia at Work: Challenges and Opportunities: A report on the trade union perspectives on Islamophobia (Canadian Labour Congress)
• Islamophobia is… more than hate crimes: A short video created by Islamophobia-Is.com (YouTube)
• Vancouver Public Library: Reading List

For Educators:

• Guidelines for Educators on Countering Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims
• Accommodating Muslim Students During Ramadan: Yes, I’m Hot In This: A free poster to help educators create safe and inclusive spaces for Muslim students during the month of Ramadan
• Know Your Rights Guide for Muslim Postsecondary Students: A guide for Canadian post-secondary students about discrimination and harassment (National Council of Canadian Muslims)
• D.A.R.E.: The Digital Anti-Racism Education (DARE) Project is the Canadian Council of Muslim Women’s national program to raise awareness of online hate and Islamophobia (Canadian Council of Muslim Women)
• National Film Board of Canada: The Faith Project: The Faith Project is an interactive tablet documentary featuring short films about prayer in the modern world. (National Film Board of Canada)